מִדְרָךְ (mid.rakh)
mid.rakh
treading
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun mid.rakh refers specifically to a treading or stepping place, denoting the ground where one’s foot lands. It is not a general word for land or territory, but rather focuses on the immediate surface underfoot. The term appears only once in the Old Testament, found in Deuteronomy 2:5.
In this context, Moses instructs the Israelites not to contend with the descendants of Esau because God has given them Mount Seir as a mid.rakh. This usage highlights that the land is defined by its function as a place for their feet to walk upon. It marks a tangible boundary and provision, distinguishing what belongs to another from what is assigned to Israel.
The word’s rarity underscores its precision. By limiting the reference to a single instance, the text emphasizes that possession begins with the simple act of stepping onto the ground. It serves as a concrete reminder of divine allocation, where the right to dwell is established through granted access to the earth itself.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word mid.rakh points to the immediate ground beneath your feet, the specific place where you step. In Deuteronomy 2:5, it marks the boundary of what belongs to Esau, showing that possession is defined by where one is allowed to walk. This precision reminds us that God assigns territory with care, distinguishing clearly between what is given and what is not.
For your life, this word highlights the reality of divine allocation. You do not need to strive for ground that has not been granted to you. Instead, you can find peace in trusting that God provides exactly the space you need to stand and move forward. His boundaries are not restrictions but acts of provision.
This simple act of treading becomes a sign of trust. When you step onto the path He has laid out, you acknowledge His ownership and your place within it. It is a quiet assurance that your footing is secure, not because of your own strength, but because He has set the boundaries for your good.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a treading place of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִדְרַ֣ךְ1×
Key Verses
-
Deuteronomy 2:5
Don’t contend with them; for I will not give you any of their land, no, not so much as for the sole of the foot to tread on, because I have given Mount Seir to Esau for a possession.
This verse uses mid.rakh to define the precise limit of Esau's inheritance, showing that God's allocation is specific and non-negotiable.